5G mobile network with intelligent 5G non-standalone (NSA) radio access network (RAN)

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods and computer software are disclosed for providing for providing a 5G mobile network. In one embodiment a method is disclosed, comprising: providing a first base station having a first coverage area for a first Radio Access Network (RAN); providing a second base station having a second coverage area, the second coverage area within the first coverage area of the first base station for an overlay RAN; providing a 5G base station having a third coverage area, the third coverage area within the first coverage area and within the second coverage area and part of the overlay RAN; and determining, by a 5G Interworking Function (IWF) device, which subscribers are to be serviced by the overlay RAN and which subscribers are to be serviced by the first RAN.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Pat. App. No. 62/873,463, filed Jul. 12, 2019, titled “5GMobile Network Solution With Intelligent 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) RadioAccess Network (RAN) Solution” which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety for all purposes. This application also herebyincorporates by reference, for all purposes, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos.US20110044285, US20140241316; WO Pat. App. Pub. No. WO2013145592A1; EPPat. App. Pub. No. EP2773151A1; U.S. Pat. No. 8,879,416, “HeterogeneousMesh Network and Multi-RAT Node Used Therein,” filed May 8, 2013; U.S.Pat. No. 8,867,418, “Methods of Incorporating an Ad Hoc Cellular NetworkInto a Fixed Cellular Network,” filed Feb. 18, 2014; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/777,246, “Methods of Enabling Base StationFunctionality in a User Equipment,” filed Sep. 15, 2016; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/289,821, “Method of Connecting Security Gatewayto Mesh Network,” filed May 29, 2014; U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/642,544, “Federated X2 Gateway,” filed Mar. 9, 2015; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/711,293, “Multi-Egress Backhaul,” filed May 13,2015; U.S. Pat. App. No. 62/375,341, “S2 Proxy for Multi-ArchitectureVirtualization,” filed Aug. 15, 2016; U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/132,229, “MaxMesh: Mesh Backhaul Routing,” filed Apr. 18, 2016, eachin its entirety for all purposes. This application also herebyincorporates by reference in their entirety each of the following U.S.Pat. applications or Pat. App. Publications: US20150098387A1(PWS-71731US01); US20170055186A1 (PWS-71815U501); US20170273134A1(PWS-71850U501); US20170272330A1 (PWS-71850U502); and Ser. No.15/713,584 (PWS-71850US03). This application also hereby incorporates byreference in their entirety U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/424,479,“5G Interoperability Architecture,” filed May 28, 2019; and U.S.Provisional Pat. Application No. 62/804,209, “5G Native Architecture,”filed Feb. 11, 2019; and U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 62/900,647,“4G/5G Core Interworking,” filed Sep. 15, 2019.

BACKGROUND

5G is the next generation mobile communication technology following 4G(Long term Evolution (LTE). 3GPP has been working on defining thestandards for 5G as part of 3GPP Release 15 and 16. Starting at 1G andthen followed by 2G, 3G and 4G, each generation has laid the foundationfor the next generation to cater to newer use cases and verticals. 4Gwas the first generation that introduced flat architecture with allInternet Protocol (IP) architecture. 4G enabled and flourished severalnew applications and use cases. 5G is going to be not just about higherdata rates but also about total user experience and is going to cater toseveral new enterprise use cases like industrial automation, connectedcars, massive Internet of Things (IoT), and others. This will helpoperators to go after new revenue opportunities.

Launching a 5G network will need significant investment as it will needRadio Access Network (RAN) and packet core upgrade. 3GPP has defined anew 5G New Radio (NR) and new 5G Core. Eventually all the operators willwant to head towards a complete 5G network coverage with the new 5Gstandalone core, given the several new features and capabilities thatthe new 5G standalone network brings in. But given the significant costinvolved, 3GPP has defined a number of different intermediate solutionsthat can provide gradual migration from current 4G network to theeventual native 5G network.

SUMMARY

This invention proposes a new method of deploying 5G service bydeploying 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) RAN/User Equipment (UE)s with existing4G Evolved Packet Core (EPC). This solution helps in introducing 5G NSAsolution without any upgrade of existing incumbent 4G RAN. Thus, ithelps in reducing the cost to deploy 5G service with 5G NSA solution bynot needing to upgrade the 4G RAN, which can be very costly, timeconsuming and service impacting.

The method may include providing a first base station having a firstcoverage area for a first Radio Access Network (RAN); providing a secondbase station having a second coverage area, the second coverage areawithin the first coverage area of the first base station for an overlayRAN; providing a 5G base station having a third coverage area, the thirdcoverage area within the first coverage area and within the secondcoverage area and part of the overlay RAN; and determining, by a 5GInterworking Function (IWF) device, which subscribers are to be servicedby the overlay RAN and which subscribers are to be serviced by the firstRAN.

In another embodiment, a system may be disclosed for providing a 5Gmobile network. The system may include a first base station having afirst coverage area for a first Radio Access Network (RAN); a secondbase station having a second coverage area, the second coverage areawithin the first coverage area of the first base station for an overlayRAN; a 5G base station having a third coverage area, the third coveragearea within the first coverage area and within the second coverage areaand part of the overlay RAN; and a 5G Interworking Function (IWF)device; wherein the IWF determines which subscribers are to be servicedby the overlay RAN and which subscribers are to be serviced by the firstRAN.

In another embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable mediumcontaining instructions for providing a 5G mobile network is disclosed.The instructions, when executed, cause a system to perform stepsincluding providing a first base station having a first coverage areafor a first Radio Access Network (RAN); providing a second base stationhaving a second coverage area, the second coverage area within the firstcoverage area of the first base station for an overlay RAN; providing a5G base station having a third coverage area, the third coverage areawithin the first coverage area and within the second coverage area andpart of the overlay RAN; and determining, by a 5G Interworking Function(IWF) device, which subscribers are to be serviced by the overlay RANand which subscribers are to be serviced by the first RAN.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) network.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a 5G Standalone (SA) network.

FIG. 3, 3A, 3B are diagrams showing a migration path from 4G to 5G.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a 5G NSA RAN solution, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a migration path from 4G to 5G, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a call flow for migrating from 4G to 5G, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a schematic network architecture diagram for various radioaccess technology core networks.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a coordinating gateway, in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an enhanced base station, in accordancewith some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

3GPP has proposed multiple options to enable operators to launch 5G in agraceful manner. On a high level below are the two solutions using whichoperators to launch 5G.

FIG. 1 shows a prior art 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) solution 100. Thissolution includes an EPC 101 in communication with an eNB 102 and a gNB103. The eNB 102 and the gNB 103 are in communication with each other.Also shown is a 5G NSA UE device 104 in communication with the eNB andthe gNB. This solution allows operators to launch 5G service byanchoring 5G gNodeB to the existing EPC packet core. Thus, it helpsoperators to launch 5G service with minimal disruption to the existingpacket core and leverage their existing investment in the current 4Gnetwork for 5G as well. 5G NSA needs 5G NSA compatible 5G devices whichuse 4G NAS to communicate with EPC Packet Core.

FIG. 2 shows different 5G Standalone (SA) solutions. Solution 200 isreferred to as Option 5, solution 201 is referred to as Option 7,solution 202 is referred to as Option 2 (NR SA), solution 203 isreferred to as Option 4, and solution 204 is referred to as NR+NR. Thissolution introduces a new 5G Standalone core altogether and is analtogether new network, thus the cost/investment will be very high. 5GSA needs 5G SA compatible 5G devices which use new 5G Network Adapters(NAs) to communicate with new 5G Packet Core.

Based on this migration path normally taken by operators is as follows:

FIG. 3 shows the migration path which begins with the 4G EPC 300, then5G NSA with EPC 301 then 5G SA option 302.

Most operators will initially launch 5G with 5G NSA to leverage theirexisting investment and launch 5G with minimal disruption to currentnetwork. After that they will introduce 5G SA.

Below are some of the side effects of this migration path:

Operators are stuck with incumbent RAN vendor for 5G NSA RAN due tocustom X2 interfaces.

Due to above the incumbent vendor can charge a premium for 5G NSA asoperators cannot have another vendor 5G NSA RAN.

Operator can't introduce other vendor 5G NSA RAN even if the othervendor solution has value add and better pricing.

Will need existing purpose-built hardware-based RAN to be upgraded, thiscan be costly operation.

Upgrade can lead to service disruption or impact.

A new 5G NSA RAN solution is introduced in such a way that it introducesan overlay 4G/5G NSA RAN network without any impact to the existing 4GRAN network and without any need for any support from incumbent RANeNodeBs.

FIG. 4 shows an environment 400 including an EPC 401 in communicationwith a 5G NSA Interworking Function (IWF) 402. Also shown is a 5G SA UE406 and three coverage zones, an incumbent LTE coverage zone 403, withan incumbent eNb therein, a new LTE coverage zone 404 having a new eNBtherein, and a 5G NSA coverage zone 405 having a 5G gNB therein.

In addition to the existing Incumbent 4G eNodeB RAN coverage, as part ofthis new solution a new LTE eNB with smaller capacity is introduced toact as a Master anchor for 5G NSA Dual-Connectivity with new 5G NSA eNB.In addition to this a 5G NSA Interworking Function (IWF) function isadded.

5G NSA IWF function does following:

Provides intelligence to decide which subscribers should be serviced bythe new overlay RAN and which ones should go to the incumbent old RANcoverage. This way the solution ensures only the relevant 5G NSA capableUEs are handled with the overlay RAN.

5G NSA IWF acts like a standard Multi-RAT Dual-Connectivity capableeNodeB towards EPC and as an EPC towards the new overlay RAN (New eNBand 5G NSA gNB in the figure above).

When a 5G NSA capable UE moves out of the new overlay RAN coverage ithands over the UE to the incumbent RAN coverage.

EPC is expected to support 3GPP Release 15 based 5G NSA features.

New proposed solution caters to following set of subscribers only:

5G NSA capable devices which are 5G NSA subscription authorized.

Rest of the UEs are redirected by the 5G NSA IWF to the incumbent RANcoverage.

Thus, this new solution will come into play only for UEs that areeligible for 5G service. 5G UEs are the standard 5G NSA 3GPP Release 15compliant.

Solution Details

FIG. 5 shows the migration path which begins with the 4G EPC 500, thenintelligent 5G NSA with EPC 501 then 5G SA option 352.

Operator will launch 5G by introducing the newly proposed Intelligent 5GNSA solution in the network without impacting the existing incumbent RANand with minimal disruption. After that introduce 5G SA via option 2 oroption 4/7.

New Intelligent 5G NSA solution has following components:

3GPP Release 15 compliant New 4G eNodeB with Multi-RAT Dual-Connectivitysupport.

3GPP Release 15 compliant New 5G NSA gNodeB.

5G NSA IWF (interworking function) provides intelligence and acts like astandard Multi-RAT Dual-Connectivity capable eNodeB towards EPC and asan EPC towards the new overlay RAN (New eNB and 5G NSA gNB in figureabove).

New LTE eNB with smaller capacity is introduced to act as a Masteranchor for 5G NSA Dual-Connectivity with New 5G NSA eNB. In addition tothis a 5G NSA IWF function is added.

Advantage of this solution are:

Not any dependency on incumbent RAN vendor. Provides flexibility tointroduce new RAN vendor for 5G NSA solution.

EPC needs to support standard 5G NSA features, no any customizationneeded on EPC.

Operator has flexibility to launch 5G Service gradually without anyimpact or change to the Incumbent RAN network. Thus, reducing the costof launching 5G Service with NSA solution.

On EPC following 5G NSA features (most of them are optional and are notmandatory) defined by 3GPP in Release 15 will be used, in an appropriatecombination:

Multi-RAT Dual-Connectivity: This is the only mandatory feature neededin both EPC to support 5G NSA to anchor the 5G NSA gNB with the Master4G eNB.

Subscriber authentication: This feature is used to decide if a UE canaccess the 5G service. Based on UE capability, support for EPC,subscription support and operator policy 5G service can be authorizedfor the subscriber.

5G User Interface (UI) display control: This feature will help decide onwhen to display 5G icon display on the 5G UE device once it isauthorized to access while it is in 5G coverage.

High 5G Data rates: This will help support higher 5G throughput that canbe supported by 5G NR.

5G Capable Serving Gateway (SGW)/Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW)selection: This feature will help the Mobility Management Entity (MME)to select SGW/PGW that are 5G capable and can serve 5G sessions.

NR Usage reporting and charging: This feature will be used to supportdifferentiated charging for traffic exchanged over 5G access.

Low Latency Quality of Service (QoS) with new Quality of Service ClassIndicator (QCI)s: This will add support for new low latency QCIs thatare newly introduced for low latency applications.

5G UEs are 3GPP Release 15 compliant 5G NSA UEs. When 5G UE moves out ofthe 5G coverage they will be handed over to incumbent 4G/LTE coverage.

These 5G features may be supported by an interworking feature thatenables interoperation with a 4G core network, in one or moreembodiments and in various combinations.

A call flow of the overall operation is shown in FIG. 6 .

Additionally, the inventors have understood and appreciated that it isadvantageous to perform certain functions at a coordination server, suchas the Parallel Wireless HetNet Gateway, which performs virtualizationof the RAN towards the core and vice versa, so that the core functionsmay be statefully proxied through the coordination server to enable theRAN to have reduced complexity. Therefore, at least four scenarios aredescribed: (1) the selection of an MME or core node at the base station;(2) the selection of an MME or core node at a coordinating server suchas a virtual radio network controller gateway (VRNCGW); (3) theselection of an MME or core node at the base station that is connectedto a 5G-capable core network (either a 5G core network in a 5Gstandalone configuration, or a 4G core network in 5G non-standaloneconfiguration); (4) the selection of an MME or core node at acoordinating server that is connected to a 5G-capable core network(either 5G SA or NSA). In some embodiments, the core network RAT isobscured or virtualized towards the RAN such that the coordinationserver and not the base station is performing the functions describedherein, e.g., the health management functions, to ensure that the RAN isalways connected to an appropriate core network node. Differentprotocols other than SlAP, or the same protocol, could be used, in someembodiments.

FIG. 7 is a schematic network architecture diagram for 3G and other-Gprior art networks. The diagram shows a plurality of “Gs,” including 2G,3G, 4G, 5G and Wi-Fi. 2G is represented by GERAN 701, which includes a2G device 701 a, BTS 701 b, and BSC 701 c. 3G is represented by UTRAN702, which includes a 3G UE 702 a, nodeB 702 b, RNC 702 c, and femtogateway (FGW, which in 3GPP namespace is also known as a Home nodeBGateway or HNBGW) 702 d. 4G is represented by EUTRAN or E-RAN 703, whichincludes an LTE UE 703 a and LTE eNodeB 703 b. Wi-Fi is represented byWi-Fi access network 704, which includes a trusted Wi-Fi access point704 c and an untrusted Wi-Fi access point 704 d. The Wi-Fi devices 704 aand 704 b may access either AP 704 c or 704 d. In the current networkarchitecture, each “G” has a core network. 2G circuit core network 705includes a 2G MSC/VLR; 2G/3G packet core network 706 includes anSGSN/GGSN (for EDGE or UMTS packet traffic); 3G circuit core 707includes a 3G MSC/VLR; 4G circuit core 708 includes an evolved packetcore (EPC); and in some embodiments the Wi-Fi access network may beconnected via an ePDG/TTG using S2a/S2b. Each of these nodes areconnected via a number of different protocols and interfaces, as shown,to other, non-“G”-specific network nodes, such as the SCP 730, the SMSC731, PCRF 732, HLR/HSS 733, Authentication, Authorization, andAccounting server (AAA) 734, and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) 735. AnHeMS/AAA 736 is present in some cases for use by the 3G UTRAN. Thediagram is used to indicate schematically the basic functions of eachnetwork as known to one of skill in the art, and is not intended to beexhaustive. For example, 5G core 717 is shown using a single interfaceto 5G access 716, although in some cases 5G access can be supportedusing dual connectivity or via a non-standalone deployment architecture.

Noteworthy is that the RANs 701, 702, 703, 704 and 736 rely onspecialized core networks 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 737 but shareessential management databases 730, 731, 732, 733, 734, 735, 738. Morespecifically, for the 2G GERAN, a BSC 701 c is required for Abiscompatibility with BTS 701 b, while for the 3G UTRAN, an RNC 702 c isrequired for Iub compatibility and an FGW 702 d is required for Iuhcompatibility. These core network functions are separate because eachRAT uses different methods and techniques. On the right side of thediagram are disparate functions that are shared by each of the separateRAT core networks. These shared functions include, e.g., PCRF policyfunctions, AAA authentication functions, and the like. Letters on thelines indicate well-defined interfaces and protocols for communicationbetween the identified nodes.

The system may include 5G equipment. 5G networks are digital cellularnetworks, in which the service area covered by providers is divided intoa collection of small geographical areas called cells. Analog signalsrepresenting sounds and images are digitized in the phone, converted byan analog to digital converter and transmitted as a stream of bits. Allthe 5G wireless devices in a cell communicate by radio waves with alocal antenna array and low power automated transceiver (transmitter andreceiver) in the cell, over frequency channels assigned by thetransceiver from a common pool of frequencies, which are reused ingeographically separated cells. The local antennas are connected withthe telephone network and the Internet by a high bandwidth optical fiberor wireless backhaul connection.

5G uses millimeter waves which have shorter range than microwaves,therefore the cells are limited to smaller size. Millimeter waveantennas are smaller than the large antennas used in previous cellularnetworks. They are only a few inches (several centimeters) long. Anothertechnique used for increasing the data rate is massive MIMO(multiple-input multiple-output). Each cell will have multiple antennascommunicating with the wireless device, received by multiple antennas inthe device, thus multiple bitstreams of data will be transmittedsimultaneously, in parallel. In a technique called beamforming the basestation computer will continuously calculate the best route for radiowaves to reach each wireless device, and will organize multiple antennasto work together as phased arrays to create beams of millimeter waves toreach the device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for an enhanced eNodeB for performing the methodsdescribed herein, in accordance with some embodiments. Mesh network node800 may include processor 802, processor memory 804 in communicationwith the processor, baseband processor 806, and baseband processormemory 808 in communication with the baseband processor. Mesh networknode 800 may also include first radio transceiver 812 and second radiotransceiver 814, internal universal serial bus (USB) port 816, andsubscriber information module card (SIM card) 818 coupled to USB port816. In some embodiments, the second radio transceiver 814 itself may becoupled to USB port 816, and communications from the baseband processormay be passed through USB port 816. The second radio transceiver may beused for wirelessly backhauling eNodeB 800.

Processor 802 and baseband processor 806 are in communication with oneanother. Processor 802 may perform routing functions, and may determineif/when a switch in network configuration is needed. Baseband processor806 may generate and receive radio signals for both radio transceivers812 and 814, based on instructions from processor 802. In someembodiments, processors 802 and 806 may be on the same physical logicboard. In other embodiments, they may be on separate logic boards.

Processor 802 may identify the appropriate network configuration, andmay perform routing of packets from one network interface to anotheraccordingly. Processor 802 may use memory 804, in particular to store arouting table to be used for routing packets. Baseband processor 806 mayperform operations to generate the radio frequency signals fortransmission or retransmission by both transceivers 810 and 812.Baseband processor 806 may also perform operations to decode signalsreceived by transceivers 812 and 814. Baseband processor 806 may usememory 808 to perform these tasks.

The first radio transceiver 812 may be a radio transceiver capable ofproviding LTE eNodeB functionality, and may be capable of higher powerand multi-channel OFDMA. The second radio transceiver 814 may be a radiotransceiver capable of providing LTE UE functionality. Both transceivers812 and 814 may be capable of receiving and transmitting on one or moreLTE bands. In some embodiments, either or both of transceivers 812 and814 may be capable of providing both LTE eNodeB and LTE UEfunctionality. Transceiver 812 may be coupled to processor 802 via aPeripheral Component Interconnect-Express (PCI-E) bus, and/or via adaughtercard. As transceiver 814 is for providing LTE UE functionality,in effect emulating a user equipment, it may be connected via the sameor different PCI-E bus, or by a USB bus, and may also be coupled to SIMcard 818. First transceiver 812 may be coupled to first radio frequency(RF) chain (filter, amplifier, antenna) 822, and second transceiver 814may be coupled to second RF chain (filter, amplifier, antenna) 824.

SIM card 818 may provide information required for authenticating thesimulated UE to the evolved packet core (EPC). When no access to anoperator EPC is available, a local EPC may be used, or another local EPCon the network may be used. This information may be stored within theSIM card, and may include one or more of an international mobileequipment identity (IMEI), international mobile subscriber identity(IMSI), or other parameter needed to identify a UE. Special parametersmay also be stored in the SIM card or provided by the processor duringprocessing to identify to a target eNodeB that device 800 is not anordinary UE but instead is a special UE for providing backhaul to device800.

Wired backhaul or wireless backhaul may be used. Wired backhaul may bean Ethernet-based backhaul (including Gigabit Ethernet), or afiber-optic backhaul connection, or a cable-based backhaul connection,in some embodiments. Additionally, wireless backhaul may be provided inaddition to wireless transceivers 812 and 814, which may be Wi-Fi802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad/ah, Bluetooth, ZigBee, microwave (includingline-of-sight microwave), or another wireless backhaul connection. Anyof the wired and wireless connections described herein may be usedflexibly for either access (providing a network connection to UEs) orbackhaul (providing a mesh link or providing a link to a gateway or corenetwork), according to identified network conditions and needs, and maybe under the control of processor 802 for reconfiguration.

A GPS module 830 may also be included, and may be in communication witha GPS antenna 832 for providing GPS coordinates, as described herein.When mounted in a vehicle, the GPS antenna may be located on theexterior of the vehicle pointing upward, for receiving signals fromoverhead without being blocked by the bulk of the vehicle or the skin ofthe vehicle. Automatic neighbor relations (ANR) module 832 may also bepresent and may run on processor 802 or on another processor, or may belocated within another device, according to the methods and proceduresdescribed herein.

Other elements and/or modules may also be included, such as a homeeNodeB, a local gateway (LGW), a self-organizing network (SON) module,or another module. Additional radio amplifiers, radio transceiversand/or wired network connections may also be included.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a coordinating server for providing services andperforming methods as described herein, in accordance with someembodiments. Coordinating server 900 includes processor 902 and memory904, which are configured to provide the functions described herein.Also present are radio access network coordination/routing (RANCoordination and routing) module 906, including ANR module 906 a, RANconfiguration module 908, and RAN proxying module 910. The ANR module906 a may perform the ANR tracking, PCI disambiguation, ECGI requesting,and GPS coalescing and tracking as described herein, in coordinationwith RAN coordination module 906 (e.g., for requesting ECGIs, etc.). Insome embodiments, coordinating server 900 may coordinate multiple RANsusing coordination module 906. In some embodiments, coordination servermay also provide proxying, routing virtualization and RANvirtualization, via modules 910 and 908. In some embodiments, adownstream network interface 912 is provided for interfacing with theRANs, which may be a radio interface (e.g., LTE), and an upstreamnetwork interface 914 is provided for interfacing with the core network,which may be either a radio interface (e.g., LTE) or a wired interface(e.g., Ethernet).

Coordinator 900 includes local evolved packet core (EPC) module 920, forauthenticating users, storing and caching priority profile information,and performing other EPC-dependent functions when no backhaul link isavailable. Local EPC 920 may include local HSS 922, local MME 924, localSGW 926, and local PGW 928, as well as other modules. Local EPC 920 mayincorporate these modules as software modules, processes, or containers.Local EPC 920 may alternatively incorporate these modules as a smallnumber of monolithic software processes. Modules 906, 908, 910 and localEPC 920 may each run on processor 902 or on another processor, or may belocated within another device.

In any of the scenarios described herein, where processing may beperformed at the cell, the processing may also be performed incoordination with a cloud coordination server. A mesh node may be aneNodeB. An eNodeB may be in communication with the cloud coordinationserver via an X2 protocol connection, or another connection. The eNodeBmay perform inter-cell coordination via the cloud communication server,when other cells are in communication with the cloud coordinationserver. The eNodeB may communicate with the cloud coordination server todetermine whether the UE has the ability to support a handover to Wi-Fi,e.g., in a heterogeneous network.

Although the methods above are described as separate embodiments, one ofskill in the art would understand that it would be possible anddesirable to combine several of the above methods into a singleembodiment, or to combine disparate methods into a single embodiment.For example, all of the above methods could be combined. In thescenarios where multiple embodiments are described, the methods could becombined in sequential order, or in various orders as necessary.

Although the above systems and methods for providing interferencemitigation are described in reference to the 5G and Long Term Evolution(LTE) standards, one of skill in the art would understand that thesesystems and methods could be adapted for use with other wirelessstandards or versions thereof, including newer or older standards suchas 2G, 3G, or future 5G or beyond.

The inventors have understood and appreciated that the presentdisclosure could be used in conjunction with various networkarchitectures and technologies. Wherever a 4G technology is described,the inventors have understood that other RATs have similar equivalents,such as a gNodeB for 5G equivalent of eNB. Wherever an MME is described,the MME could be a 3G RNC or a 5G AMF/SMF. Additionally, wherever an MMEis described, any other node in the core network could be managed inmuch the same way or in an equivalent or analogous way, for example,multiple connections to 4G EPC PGWs or SGWs, or any other node for anyother RAT, could be periodically evaluated for health and otherwisemonitored, and the other aspects of the present disclosure could be madeto apply, in a way that would be understood by one having skill in theart.

Additionally, the inventors have understood and appreciated that it isadvantageous to perform certain functions at a coordination server, suchas the Parallel Wireless HetNet Gateway, which performs virtualizationof the RAN towards the core and vice versa, so that the core functionsmay be statefully proxied through the coordination server to enable theRAN to have reduced complexity. Therefore, at least four scenarios aredescribed: (1) the selection of an MME or core node at the base station;(2) the selection of an MME or core node at a coordinating server suchas a virtual radio network controller gateway (VRNCGW); (3) theselection of an MME or core node at the base station that is connectedto a 5G-capable core network (either a 5G core network in a 5Gstandalone configuration, or a 4G core network in 5G non-standaloneconfiguration); (4) the selection of an MME or core node at acoordinating server that is connected to a 5G-capable core network(either 5G SA or NSA). In some embodiments, the core network RAT isobscured or virtualized towards the RAN such that the coordinationserver and not the base station is performing the functions describedherein, e.g., the health management functions, to ensure that the RAN isalways connected to an appropriate core network node. Differentprotocols other than SlAP, or the same protocol, could be used, in someembodiments.

In some embodiments, the software needed for implementing the methodsand procedures described herein may be implemented in a high levelprocedural or an object-oriented language such as C, C++, C#, Python,Java, or Perl. The software may also be implemented in assembly languageif desired. Packet processing implemented in a network device caninclude any processing determined by the context. For example, packetprocessing may involve high-level data link control (HDLC) framing,header compression, and/or encryption. In some embodiments, softwarethat, when executed, causes a device to perform the methods describedherein may be stored on a computer-readable medium such as read-onlymemory (ROM), programmable-read-only memory (PROM), electricallyerasable programmable-read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, or amagnetic disk that is readable by a general or specialpurpose-processing unit to perform the processes described in thisdocument. The processors can include any microprocessor (single ormultiple core), system on chip (SoC), microcontroller, digital signalprocessor (DSP), graphics processing unit (GPU), or any other integratedcircuit capable of processing instructions such as an x86microprocessor.

In some embodiments, the radio transceivers described herein may be basestations compatible with a Long Term Evolution (LTE) radio transmissionprotocol or air interface. The LTE-compatible base stations may beeNodeBs. In addition to supporting the LTE protocol, the base stationsmay also support other air interfaces, such as UMTS/HSPA, CDMA/CDMA2000,GSM/EDGE, GPRS, EVDO, 2G, 3G, 5G, legacy TDD, or other air interfacesused for mobile telephony.

In some embodiments, the base stations described herein may supportWi-Fi air interfaces, which may include one or more of IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac/af/p/h. In some embodiments, the base stationsdescribed herein may support IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), to LTE transmissionsin unlicensed frequency bands (e.g., LTE-U, Licensed Access or LA-LTE),to LTE transmissions using dynamic spectrum access (DSA), to radiotransceivers for ZigBee, Bluetooth, or other radio frequency protocols,or other air interfaces.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplaryembodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, softwarethat, when executed, causes a device to perform the methods describedherein may be stored on a computer-readable medium such as a computermemory storage device, a hard disk, a flash drive, an optical disc, orthe like. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the presentinvention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromthe spirit or essential characteristics thereof. For example, wirelessnetwork topology can also apply to wired networks, optical networks, andthe like. The methods may apply to LTE-compatible networks, toUMTS-compatible networks, to 5G networks, or to networks for additionalprotocols that utilize radio frequency data transmission. Variouscomponents in the devices described herein may be added, removed, splitacross different devices, combined onto a single device, or substitutedwith those having the same or similar functionality.

Although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated inthe foregoing example embodiments, it is understood that the presentdisclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerouschanges in the details of implementation of the disclosure may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, which islimited only by the claims which follow. Various components in thedevices described herein may be added, removed, or substituted withthose having the same or similar functionality. Various steps asdescribed in the figures and specification may be added or removed fromthe processes described herein, and the steps described may be performedin an alternative order, consistent with the spirit of the invention.Features of one embodiment may be used in another embodiment. Otherembodiments are within the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for providing a 5G mobile network,comprising: providing a first base station having a first coverage areafor a first Radio Access Network (RAN); providing a second base stationhaving a second coverage area, the second coverage area completelywithin the first coverage area of the first base station for an overlayRAN; providing a 5G base station having a third coverage area, the thirdcoverage area completely within the first coverage area and completelywithin the second coverage area and part of the overlay RAN;determining, by a 5G Interworking Function (IWF) device, whichsubscribers are to be serviced by the overlay RAN and which subscribersare to be serviced by the first RAN, and wherein the 5G IWF device isseen as a Multi-Radio Access Technology (Multi-RAT) Dual-Connectivitycapable eNodeB towards an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and is seen as anEPC towards the overlay RAN; and upon determining a 5G Non-Stand Alone(NSA) capable mobile device moves out of coverage of the overlay RAN,and handing over coverage of the 5G NSA capable mobile device to thefirst RAN.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein 5G Non-Stand Alone (NSA)-5GNSA capable mobile devices are 5G NSA subscription authorized.
 3. Themethod of claim 2 further comprising redirecting, by the 5G IWF, mobiledevices that are not 5G NSA subscription authorized to the incumbentRAN.
 4. A system for providing a 5G mobile network, comprising: a firstbase station having a first coverage area for a first Radio AccessNetwork (RAN); a second base station having a second coverage area, thesecond coverage area completely within the first coverage area of thefirst base station for an overlay RAN; a 5G base station having a thirdcoverage area, the third coverage area completely within the firstcoverage area and completely within the second coverage area and part ofthe overlay RAN; and a 5G Interworking Function (IWF) device; whereinthe IWF determines which subscribers are to be serviced by the overlayRAN and which subscribers are to be serviced by the first RAN, andwherein the 5G IWF device is seen as a Multi-Radio Access Technology(Multi-RAT) Dual-Connectivity capable eNodeB towards an Evolved PacketCore (EPC) and is seen as an EPC towards the overlay RAN; and upondetermining a 5G Non-Stand Alone (NSA) capable mobile device moves outof coverage of the overlay RAN, and handing over coverage of the 5G NSAcapable mobile device to the first RAN.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein5G Non-Stand Alone (NSA)-capable mobile devices are 5G NSA subscriptionauthorized.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein the 5G IWF redirects mobiledevices that are not 5G NSA subscription authorized to the incumbentRAN.
 7. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containinginstructions for providing a 5G mobile network which, when executed,cause a system to perform steps comprising: providing a first basestation having a first coverage area for a first Radio Access Network(RAN); providing a second base station having a second coverage area,the second coverage area completely within the first coverage area ofthe first base station for an overlay RAN; providing a 5G base stationhaving a third coverage area, the third coverage area completely withinthe first coverage area and completely within the second coverage areaand part of the overlay RAN; and determining, by a 5G InterworkingFunction (IWF) device, which subscribers are to be serviced by theoverlay RAN and which subscribers are to be serviced by the first RAN,and wherein the 5G IWF device is seen as a Multi-Radio Access Technology(Multi-RAT) Dual- Connectivity capable eNodeB towards an Evolved PacketCore (EPC) and is seen as an EPC towards the overlay RAN; and upondetermining a 5G Non-Stand Alone (NSA) capable mobile device moves outof coverage of the overlay RAN, and handing over coverage of the 5G NSAcapable mobile device to the first RAN.
 8. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 7 further comprising instructionswherein 5G Non-Stand Alone (NSA)-capable mobile devices are 5G NSAsubscription authorized.
 9. The non-transitory computer-readable mediumof claim 8 further comprising instructions for redirecting, by the 5GIWF, mobile devices that are not 5G NSA subscription authorized to theincumbent RAN.